162 John Bachman. 



the spirit was stronger than the body, and when the 

 warm days of Spring returned, the prostration of 

 strength that had alarmed his friends the previous 

 year, returned with double force. His Vestry insist- 

 ed that, under the circumstances, it was unwise for 

 him to cling to his work. His physicians prescribed 

 a long sea- voyage and entire rest from labors too 

 arduous in his debilitated condition. 



Audubon urged him to joinjiim in London, where 

 the best medical advice would be at hand. " Come 

 to us" he wrote; " The sight of our happy children, 

 Maria and John, will do you more good than all the 

 doctor's medicine ; and my old darling Lucy (his wife), 

 is a great nurse ; drive up to Oxford street, where you 

 will find a warm welcome" 



May 28th. Dr. Bachman addressed a letter to the 

 President and Vestry of St. John's Church : 



" I deeply lament the causes which have led to 

 this communication, but a sense of duty requires 

 that it should not be withheld. 



41 You are aware of the decline of my health, and 

 my inability to perform my clerical duties. Believ- 

 ing that a clergyman should withdraw from his 

 charge whenever he ceases to be useful, I should not 

 hesitate to send you my resignation as Pastor of the 

 Church, were I not buoyed up by my physicians 

 with the hope that I may yet be restored to useful- 

 ness and health. They have all, without exception, 

 recommended a long sea-voyage. I have been in- 

 formed that you are also favorable to these views. I 

 have, therefore, after mature reflection and prayer, 

 ventured to ask you to permit me to suspend my 

 labors until December next." 



